The decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was met with much anticipation and excitement. However, for the workers who were brought in to build the infrastructure for the tournament, the reality has been far from positive. According to unions, positive change in working conditions has ceased since the World Cup was announced, and workers remain trapped in a precarious situation with little hope for improvement. In this article, we delve into the state of workers’ rights in Qatar and the impact of the upcoming World Cup on their lives.
According to a coalition of eight global union federations, migrant workers in Qatar are facing deteriorating conditions since the World Cup, with rogue employers taking advantage of the absence of enforcement and growing confidence that rights violations will go unpunished. The unions raise serious concerns on the decent work legacy of the World Cup and the sustainability of labour reforms in Qatar. In a statement, the Building and Wood Workers’ International and the UNI Global Union, which represents the skills and services sectors, among others, claim that progress on reform has stalled because of the lack of political will or active opposition by many abusive employers, as well as the lack of progress on the International Labour Organization’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
The statement calls on Qatar’s government to provide a remedy fund to abused workers and create a migrant workers’ centre. It also urges it to allow the International Labour Organization to conduct an independent review of the Qataris’ efforts to meet their human rights commitments. FIFA will discuss whether enough has been done to address human rights abuses and migrant worker deaths in Qatar, after a proposal by the Norwegian Football Federation.
This criticism comes after Amnesty International raised concerns over whether FIFA’s proposed “legacy fund” would adequately help workers who had suffered wage theft, illegal recruitment fees and injuries in Qatar or compensate the families of those who died. The Qatari government and supreme committee for the World Cup claim to have transformed their labour system, but no comment has yet been made on the latest statement from the unions.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by labor unions in Qatar about the lack of positive change for workers since the World Cup hold a significant weight. The focus on ensuring an unforgettable football experience for fans should not come at the expense of labor rights violations. As we eagerly wait for the 2022 World Cup, it is critical to remember that the success of the tournament must not overshadow the welfare of those who will make it happen. It is essential to create a fair and humane environment for workers, not just in Qatar but across the globe. Let us hope that Qatar takes the necessary steps to ensure that the labor rights of workers are fully protected and that progress is made towards positive change.
